HIV-negative pregnant women can also benefit from supplementation with multivitamins
Release date: 2008-01-11
Pregnant women who are HIV-negative can also gain significant benefits from taking multivitamin supplements. Low birth weight is defined as a baby weighing less than 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds) at birth. Globally, approximately 2 million low-weight babies are born each year, with over 95% of these cases occurring in developing countries. This condition not only increases the risk of infant mortality but can also lead to long-term issues such as growth delays and cognitive impairments. Moreover, children born with low birth weight may face a higher risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease later in life.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that HIV-negative pregnant women who took multiple vitamins during pregnancy had a significantly lower risk of delivering low birth weight or preterm babies. Researchers noted that a baby’s weight at birth is influenced by various factors, including the mother’s overall health, nutritional status, and the presence of essential micronutrients. While many developing countries already include iron and folic acid in standard prenatal care, other important nutrients may also play a critical role in supporting maternal and fetal health, as well as fetal growth and survival.
Previous research led by Dr. Fawzi in Tanzania showed that HIV-positive pregnant women who took multivitamins—such as B-complex, C, and E—had fewer preterm births and lower rates of stillbirths. As a result, multivitamin supplementation became part of routine prenatal care for HIV-positive mothers. Now, Dr. Fawzi and her team have extended this research to HIV-negative women to determine if they could also benefit.
In the largest study of its kind, 8,468 HIV-negative pregnant women between 12 and 27 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to either a placebo group or a multivitamin group. All participants received iron and folic acid, while the intervention group also received additional vitamins B, C, and E. No extra vitamin A or zinc was given. The treatment continued from enrollment until six weeks postpartum.
The results were promising: multivitamin supplementation reduced the incidence of low birth weight by 18% and preterm births by 23%. Researchers concluded that regardless of a woman’s HIV status, taking multivitamins during pregnancy can improve both maternal and fetal health by boosting immune function and increasing hemoglobin levels. This study reinforces the importance of comprehensive nutrition during pregnancy, especially in regions where access to essential nutrients may be limited. — Midi Medical Network
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